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Grid position rules change in World Endurance Championship

It was recently decided that grid position rules would be changed for the World Endurance Championship. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Grid positions in next year's FIA World Endurance Championship will be determined by an aggregate time of two drivers in each car.

The qualifying order will be based on the two fastest laps of the two drivers, it was decided that this weekend's FIA World Council. That means the grid time will be decided on the basis of four timed laps.

The move, according to the FIA, is designed to make qualifying "more attractive for spectators and media".

The race-day warm-up has been cancelled in the interests of cost reduction unless specifically required. This means the Le Mans 24 Hours will retain its warm-up.

The FIA, which writes the prototype rules together with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest at Le Mans, has also reaffirmed its intention to further increase the length of time between engine rebuilds. Last year's rules stated that it intended to increase the life of the engines for 2013 from 30 to 50 hours.

Limitations on tires used will placed on the LMP2 and GTE Am classes from next year.

The FIA also stated its commitment to enforcing a strict equivalence between diesel and petrol-powered cars in LMP1 when the new 2014 rulebook comes into force.